Prime Minister announces changes to Ministry

Prime Minister John Key today announced
changes to the National-led Government’s Ministerial
line-up, to take effect from Tuesday, 28 January.

Internal Affairs and Local Government Minister Chris
Tremain, who has announced his intention to retire from
Parliament at the upcoming general election, will be
resigning from the Ministry.

Peter Dunne will be
appointed Minister of Internal Affairs, Associate Minister
of Health and Associate Minister of Conservation. Mr Dunne
will be a Minister outside Cabinet as he was prior to his
resignation in June last year.

Michael Woodhouse
will be promoted to the vacancy in Cabinet, and will retain
all of his current responsibilities.

Paula Bennett
picks up the role of Minister of Local Government, in
addition to her current portfolio responsibilities.

The new Minister outside Cabinet will be Peseta Sam
Lotu-liga, who will be appointed Minister of Pacific Island
Affairs and Associate Minister of Local Government. Mr
Lotu-liga is the MP for Maungakiekie and was first elected
to Parliament 2008.

“I want to thank Chris Tremain
for his work as a Minister, and previously as Senior
Government Whip,” Mr Key says.

“Chris will be a
real loss to the National caucus when he retires at the
election and I wish him well for the future.

“I am
pleased to welcome Peter Dunne back as a Minister. We have
worked together well in the past, and United Future
continues to be a valued partner in government.

“While 2013 brought its challenges, both Peter and I
start this election year looking forward, not back.”

Mr Key also congratulated Mr Lotu-liga on his elevation
to the Ministry.

“Sam has very strong ties with
the Pasifika community and has represented their interests
in caucus well.

“He is well placed to build on the
work that Hekia Parata has done in this portfolio this past
term.”

In other changes, Todd McClay will take up
the role of Associate Tourism.

The Governor-General
will swear in the new Ministers on Tuesday 28 January, prior
to Parliament getting underway for the new year.

“The National-led Government’s strong Ministerial
team will continue to take New Zealand forward and deliver
on what we have promised,” Mr Key says.

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